Last Updated on 25th April 2022
In the series of profiles on the team here at GeoSLAM, Gabriel de Barros Praxedes, Channel Manager for Central and South America shares his thoughts on technology, his passion for travel and martial arts.
Why did you want to work for GeoSLAM?
Working for an innovative technology company at the forefront of the geospatial industry brings with it so many exciting opportunities, including the chance to implement the technology into the relatively unexplored LATAM market.
I’d always dreamed of a career where what you do helps others, so it’s incredibly satisfying when you hear about how the technology you work with on a day-to-day basis is making your clients’ lives easier.
What does your day-to-day job entail?
As well as managing our channel partners, I spend a lot of time educating Latin America about SLAM technology. The biggest challenge is “changing the culture” and getting larger companies to embrace new workflows when they’re so used to their tried and trusted methods. It isn’t always easy, but with good technology backing me up I am making good progress bringing these modern processes to my region.
Gabriel presenting to clients in Brazil
What is the most interesting/crazy/dangerous thing you have scanned?
Once I had to travel over 1km underground in a mine, which seemed very dangerous and was crazy to think about. But the ZEB Horizon made life easier, and actually safer, because we did not have to spend very long at such depth capturing the data we needed very quickly.
I’ve also been fortunate to scan some really cool places, such as one of the stadiums from the 2014 World Cup in Salvador, Brazil. Read all about that here.
Can you share how technology is helping businesses in LATAM?
Everything from making mines safer, conservation of rainforests etc we’re helping people who need to create a 3D model, and who need to do it really quickly. Because its simple to use, people are doing their first scan within an hour of receiving their GeoSLAM equipment.
Where do you see SLAM/mobile mapping technology going over the next few years?
The mobile mapping market is growing so quickly compared to other data capture solutions. Devices that are handheld can be confidently used by anybody with a small amount of training, plus they’re portable and easy to carry. I see SLAM technology really taking off in the coming years and being an integral part of any reality capture system.
What has been your favourite/most memorable career moment to date?
I’ll always remember my first trip to InterGEO 2018. Not only did I get the opportunity to travel abroad with work, I also visited a country that has been at the top of my bucket list for years – Germany!
It was a particularly exciting trip anyway because we were preparing to unveil one of our latest products, the ZEB Horizon; a moment we had been building up to for months.
ZEB Horizon training with a client at an underground mine in Bolivia
Who inspires you in your day-to-day life?
My mom is my biggest inspiration. She is the strongest person I’ve ever met and is always teaching helping me understand each of life’s lessons.
She also continues to make me a better person, and to focus on the positive side of every situation.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I am a big sports fan, enjoy being active and eating well. It ties in well with two of my favourite hobbies, jiu-jitsu and cooking delicious meals.
What is your favourite song?
One, U2.
What item could you not live without?
My passport – I love to travel and luckily it’s often part of my job!
What sort of places do you like to go on holiday? Why and where was the best place you ever visited?
I am the kind of person who loves to incorporate nature into my trips; something that encourages me to switch off and disconnect. This is particularly important for me because my role involves me working with technology and being connected for much of the day.
I feel that I’m such a lucky person because I’ve already had the chance to visit so many amazing parts of the world! My most recent trip was to Thailand, and this was my first visit to Asia. I would highly recommend a holiday here; from the food and music, to the kind locals. It’s a one-of-a-kind trip for me.
One random fact about yourself that people may not know…
I’ve been learning and studying Hungarian language. ????
